Fixed: Offline printer in Windows 10

While trying to print a document in Windows 10, you may receive the message from the printer offline. The printer's offline message indicates that the printer is either not connected to the PC or is turned off.

Sometimes the offline printer message is displayed even when the printer is turned on and the Windows 10 PC is connected.

Also, if you receive the message from the printer offline, you can try the following solutions, in that order.

• Make assured the printer is switched on

Before you begin troubleshooting, make sure that the printer in question is turned on. If not, turn on the printer and wait for it to be ready for operation.

• Be sure the printer is connected to the system

Again, it's important to make sure the printer is connected to your PC via cable or Wi-Fi. If you're trying to connect and install a new printer on your PC via Wi-Fi, please see our website How to add a wireless printer to the Windows 10 PC step-by-step guide.

• Run the printer power cycle

Switch off the printer and disconnect it from the computer. Restart your PC. Wait a minute. Connect the printer to the PC, and then restart it. Check if the printer is online now.

• Remove and add the printer in Settings

This is the best solution for Windows printer problems. Most of the time, removing and then adding the printer again through Settings solves the problem. Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Navigate to Settings> Devices> Printers and Scanners.

Step 2: Click the printer entry, and then click Remove Device to uninstall the printer from your PC. If you receive the confirmation dialog, click Yes.

Step 3: Make sure the printer is turned on and connected to the PC. Navigate to Settings> Devices> Printers and Scanners again.

Step 4: Click on Add printer or scanner option. Once Windows 10 discovers your printer, click Add Device to install the printer.

This should solve the problem of the offline printer.

• Reset the Print Spooler service

If the above solutions do not work, resetting the Printer Spooler is the best option. Here's how to do it.

Step 1: Type services.msc in the Start/taskbar search field, and then press the Enter key to open the Services window.

Step 2: Find the Service Printer Shot. Right-click it, and then click the Restart option to restart the Print service.

• Delete the print queue

Step 1: Open Windows 10 Settings. Navigate to Devices> Printers and Scanners.

Step 2: Click your printer entry, then click the Manage button.

Step 3: Click Open Print Queue here to view all documents in the queue. Select a document, right-click it, and then click the Cancel option to remove delete it from the queue. Do this for all documents in the print queue.

• Run the print troubleshooter

Windows 10 provides a built-in troubleshooting tool to diagnose and resolve printer problems. Navigate to settings> Update and security> Troubleshoot page to find the Printer troubleshooter. Run the troubleshooter and follow the on-screen instructions to solve the offline printer problem.